Betty White has described her upcoming sitcom Hot In Cleveland as a "delight" to work on.

The 88-year-old actress has signed on to star as Elka Ostrovsky in the TV Land project, the caretaker of a house that three women - Jane Leaves, Wendy Malick and Valerie Bertinelli - decide to rent in Cleveland.

"The pilot got picked up so fast that it blew all our minds," she said.

"We actually start working on the series the day I get back from Saturday Night Live. So it's a quick turnaround but I think it's going to be great fun."

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The star went on to praise the "wonderful chemistry" between her co-stars, and teased that it's obvious her own character is "not a nice person" from the moment she steps on screen.

"I have been housekeeper at that house for 50 years. And they inherit me along with the house," she explained. "And of course I'm a pain in the neck. Elka is not a nice person.

"Her opening line when she sees the real estate man talking to the three girls is, 'Why are you renting to prostitutes?' So that kind of sets her character. She's not easy to live with."

White will host this weekend's Saturday Night Live, which airs tonight at 11.30/10.30c on NBC. Hot In Cleveland premieres next month.